The University of Regina's women's soccer team opens up the 2008 season at home this weekend with home matches against Calgary on Saturday and against Lethbridge on Sunday. Both games will kick off at noon at the U of R Field.

“These are both games when we want to try to soak up some pressure when needed and perhaps make a quick counter-attack or two,” second-year head coach Bob Maltman said. “When the game progresses, we'll make some adjustments to take some of the play to the other team. I'm very optimistic about our chances in both of these games.”

Maltman has been pleased with the level of focus, intensity, and ability demonstrated by the returning Cougars. He says that the team's fitness is vastly improved from last season, and that will allow him to be more flexible in his on-field tactics in 2008.

Two returning Cougars will have huge changes in their roles on the team this season. Michelle Anderson showed plenty of promise last year and finished second on the team in 2007 with four goals scored, but she'll make the move from forward to goalkeeper. Anderson has an impressive history of keeping at the provincial level, and Maltman feels that she'll be better utilized in that position. Team captain Tarina Mayer had been a solid defender on the back line for the Cougars for three seasons, but Maltman will look to use her speed and strength in an attacking role this year. Mayer will move up front, and scored her first goal in that position against Manitoba in a non-conference game two weekends ago.

Also returning for the Cougars is second-year forward Nakia Forsberg, who finished third among Canada West rookie scoring last season with five goals.

The Cougars' season starts on Saturday afternoon against Calgary, a team that finished just out of the Canada West playoffs last season with a 5-7-2 record. The Dinos' top returner is third-year forward Morena Ianiello, who scored a team-high seven goals last year. Calgary has just two players – fifth-year defender Andrea Hayes and fourth-year defender Brittany Benson – past their third year of CIS eligibility.

“Calgary is a team like ourselves in that they have a smattering of older players and a ton of younger players,” Maltman said. “They played a 4-4-2 system last year with a good midfield and good pace up front. If we continue with our understanding of team shape and defensive responsibility, we'll be fine on Saturday.”

The Cougars' season-opening weekend will continue on Sunday against Lethbridge, who will be coming off of a Saturday game at Manitoba. Lethbridge was arguably the most improved Canada West team last year, as Ilsa Wong – the conference's Coach of the Year – guided the Pronghorns to a 5-4-5 record and a playoff berth. Lethbridge's key player will be fifth-year goalkeeper Megan Lumley, who was named a Canada West first-team all-star last season. The Pronghorns played a suffocating defensive style last season that saw a total of only 23 goals scored in their 14 Canada West games.

“We had a real scrambly game against Lethbridge last year,” Maltman said. “We've shown that we're more solid defensively this season, and I'm hoping that with our good pace up front we'll be able to penetrate their defence.”

After this weekend, the Cougars will prepare for a two-game series against the Manitoba Bisons. The teams will square off in Winnipeg on Sept. 13 and 14.